Nigerians defy Chelsea over 'injured' Mikel

Nigeria coach Augustin Eguavoen hit out at Chelsea after their midfielder Mikel Jon Obi defied club orders and played for his country at Griffin Park.

Chelsea claimed Mikel had a thigh injury that would keep him out for two weeks — but he lasted the 90 minutes and was Nigeria's liveliest player, even though they crashed to their first defeat against Ghana for 15 years.

Eguavoen said: "For Chelsea to say Mikel is injured, there must be something wrong. He trained with the squad and when I told him he was going to play 90 minutes, he said, 'Yes, boss'.

"Everyone saw how he played, so to say he was injured, maybe Chelsea weren't being straight with us."

Nigeria were already blazing mad and threatening to go to FIFA over the withdrawal of Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins.

Eguavoen added: "I'm surprised he wasn't here. He was invited but Newcastle asked him not to play. He's nowhere to be found. We wanted him to play but I think we will take this to the highest authorities."

On a night when the goals suddenly flowed in a brilliant second half, there were eight pitch invasions and nowhere near enough police to control Ghana fans, who were more happy than threatening.

Ghana midfielder Michael Essien probably won't have pleased Chelsea for playing 87 minutes, even though he strolled through the match and helped star man Stephen Appiah inspire the win.

For the record, Laryea Kingson of Hearts, Sulley Muntari, Nottingham Forest's Junior Agogo and substitute Asamoah Frimpong were on target for Ghana, with Taiwo Taye replying from the penalty spot for Nigeria.